What is the Meaning of Before and After-School Programs?

When there is enough interest from parents and families, school boards are required to provide before and after-school programs for children aged four to twelve. School boards or third-party providers, such as authorized recreational or skill-building program providers or licensed child care centers, may organize these programs. Collaborating with families and community partners, school boards can determine the best way to offer these programs.

What are Before and After School Programs?

Programs that occur before or after the regular school hours on weekdays, either in the school or community, are referred to as before- and after-school programs. These programs provide a variety of activities such as academic assistance, homework support, mentorship, field trips, physical education, and artistic and cultural enrichment.

These Programs must be available if there’s a Demand

Whether before and after-school programs near you are available in your child’s school depends on the demand and viability of such programs. The school board assesses the demand at a local level by consulting with community partners, including parents of children enrolled or intending to enroll in kindergarten through Grade 6 with the school board.

Parents and guardians are provided with written information about before and preschool after-school programs, also posted on the school board’s website.

School boards must collaborate with their local service system manager and First Nations to determine if a proposed before and after-school program is viable. Factors that may help determine the viability of a proposed program include:

• Unmet demand for before and after-school care.
• The availability of providers who can establish new programs in schools.
• The ability to recover program costs through parent fees.

School Boards must Report their Plans

The board of the preschool in Houston, TX, must provide parents and guardians with written information, and post on the school board’s website, the following details for the upcoming school year by May:

• The fees for before and after-school programs
• The process and approach for determining the sufficient demand and viability of the programs
• A list of schools that will offer or not offer a before and after-school program

A notice that if a third-party program ceases to operate, the school board will ensure another program is available, but the fees, days, and times of operation may change.

Additionally, school boards are required to report their plans to the ministry. This includes details such as how they determined sufficient demand, which schools are exempt from the program, and information about the before and after school programs, including fees, children enrolled, and the type of provider.

What to Expect from These Programs

MBS Kids Early Learning Academy offers the following benefits through before and after-school programs:

Expands Your Kid’s Social Circle

Before- and after-school preschool programs provide an opportunity for children to broaden their social circle. These programs allow children to interact with other kids and adults they may not know from their classroom or school. This experience helps children develop their social and communication skills as they build new relationships and friendships.

Participation in small-group activities with children of similar age also enables children to learn new ways their peers learn and play. This is especially beneficial for children who may be more reserved or cautious when entering new environments.

They are an Opportunity to Relax and Unwind

Before- and after-school preschool programs allow children to relax and unwind after a day in the classroom, similar to how working adults need time to decompress after work. Children may have different needs, like burning off excess energy or spending time alone. A quality program will offer activities that accommodate these various needs, making the transition from school to the program easier for children. Examples include physical activities, quiet spaces for reading or reflection, and snacks to help refuel.

They Offer Opportunities for interesting Based Learning

After-school programs provide children with interest-based learning opportunities that build on the lessons they learn in the classroom. This approach increases children’s desire to learn and fosters self-confidence and independence.

A quality program will offer activities, projects, and games tailored to the children’s interests while also relating to the curriculum they are taught in school. This approach helps children connect what they learn in the classroom and the world outside of school.